Safety firearm and ammunition for the same



` March 1, 1966 R, w, KERR 3,237,335

SAFETY FIREARM AND AMMUNITION FOR THE SAME Filed May 2l, 1964 "Liv INVENTOR. Raymond Wil/iam Kerr B d ,mM/1

ATTYS.

United States Patettt Oftce 3,237,335 SAFETY FIREARM ANI) AMMUNITION FOR THE SAME Raymond William Kerr, Box 4178, Lincoln, Nebr. 68507 Filed May 2l, |964, Ser. No. 369,129 8 Claims. (Cl. 42-B) The present invention relates generally to firearms and ammunition intended for training and practice use and. mone particularly, to an improved firearm of the safety type which is capable of receiving certain safety antmunition, but not conventional ammunition. This invention also relates to improved ammunition of the safety type which ia adapted for use in either the safety firearm of the invention or in conventional firearms not et the safety type.

'It is a primary oblect of the present invention to provide improved safety firearms and ammunition which are effective for training and practice purposes but which are selective in that the firing only of the safety ammunition is permitted and the tiring of standard or conventional ammunition is precluded. More particularly, it is an obiect of this invention to provide an improved safety firearm which will readily receive and fire certain safety cartridges. but which will effectively prevent the insertion and tiring of conventional cartridges so that there is no danger of mistakenly loading the tirearm with the more dangerous ammunition.

It is another obiect of the present invention lo provide a safety round of ammunition which is capable of being used interchangeably with both standard or conventional firearms and the selective safety firearm, even though the safety firearm can fire only the safety round of' ammunition. Thus, it ls an oblect of the invention to provide such safety ammunition which can be used in standard firearms without modihcatlon of those firearms as by the use of any special adapters or the like.

It la a further oblect of the invention to provide safety firearms and ammunition of the foregoing type which are simple to use. of relatively simple ferm, and permit economical manufacture.

Other oblects and ancillary advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description arm tupon reference to the accompanying drawings, in w e FIGURE l ls a fragmentary side elevation partially in section of a safety firearm embodying features of the preaant invention which are adapted to selectively receive eertaln safety ammunition while preciuding the use of standard or conventional ammunition:

FIG. 2 is s fragmentary section taken along line 2-2 in FIGURE l to show the front portion of the firing chamber:

FIO. 3 ia a side elevation of a safety cartridge adapted for use in the safety firearm of FIGURE l:

FIO. 3a ia a side elevation of a preferred projectile adapted for use in the safety cartridge of FIO. 3;

FIO. 4 is an end elevation showing the rear end of the cartridge of FIO. 3;

FIG. 4a is a perspective of a safety cartridge and the metal liner used therewith;

FIO. 5 is a fragmentary side elevation partly in section of another safety firearm adapted to selectively fire only certain other safety ammunition in accordance with the present invention:

FIG. 6 la s fragmentary perspective et the front end of the firing mechanism in the nrearm of FIG. 5;

FIO. 6a is a perspective of a safety cartridge adapted for usa In the ntsrm et FIG. 5;

F10. 7 la a perspective of the rear portion of a modified `metal liner for use in the barrel assembly of the firearm of FIGURE I and adapted to receive still another form of dfi fifi

3,237,335 Patented Mar. l, 1966 safety ammttnitlon while precluding tlte use of conventional ammunition;

FIG. 8 is a perspective of a safety cartridge adapted for use with the modified liner of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 s a fragmentary side elevation partly in section showing still another safety rearm embodying tite pres cnt invention und adapted to receive yet another form of safety ammunition while prcclttding tltc use of convcntional ammunition, with a round of tite safety ammunition being shown in its firing position in tite firearm;

FIG. 10 is n fragmentary section tuitcn along line I0-I0 in FIG. 9 to show tite front fttcc of the recoil plate:

FIG. li is a perspective of thc recoil plate in the firearm of FIG. 9; and

FIG. l2 is a perspective of a safety cartridge adapted for use in the firearm of FIG. 9.

While the invention is described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, it will be understood that it is not thereby intended to limit thc invention to those particular embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents which ntny be inclttdcd within the spirit and scope of' tite invention as defined by tite appended claims.

Turning now to the drawings. there is shown in FIG- URE l a pistol type firearm l0 embodying the present invention and intended for training and practice use. The illustrative firearm I0 includes a frame I2 pivotally mounting, as at IJ, a forwardly extending barrel assembly i-t and having a depending stoclt or grip l5. As shown, the firearm I2 and barrel assembly I4 are tttadc of :t suitable plastic material with the barrel being reinforced with a tubular ntetal liner I6. A firing chamber, generally indicated at Il, is provided to receive a suitable safety cartridge, auch as tite cartridge 19 shown in FIGURES 3 and 4. The forward portion of tite firing chamber f8 is defined by thc renr portion of the barrel assembly I4 and its metal liner 16, while tite rearward portion of the firing chamber lli is defined by a recoil plate 20 which is carried by the frame 12.

For the purpose of dctonnting the cartridge I9 when it has been inserted into the firing chamber I8, the firearm 10 ia provided with a firing mechanism including a firing pin 22 which is mounted upon a carrier 24 for longitudinal movement between cocked and firing positions. ln the latter position the firing pin 22 projects through an opening 25 in the recoil plate 20 so as to engage and detonntc the primer of the safety cartridge that ls disposed at the forward end of the opening 25 in axial ulincment therewith. The instant firing mechanism is shown merely for purposes of illustration. and it will be apparent that any number of operable constructions can be used. In tite illustrative firing mechanism, the firing pin carrier 24 is longitudinally movable within a bore 26 formed in tite u per rear portion of the frame I2. The carrier 24 is b aaed forwardly toward the firing position by means of a mainapring 28. The mainspring 2li is compressed by manually withdrawing a cocking pin 29 which has a crosshend 30 at its forward end disposed within a slot 3l formed in the firing pin carrier 24. Upon withdrawintt the coclting pin 29 the crosshead 30 engages tite rear end of the carrier slot 3l so that the carrier 24 is pulled rearwardly within the bore 26, thereby compressing the spring 2B and withdrawing the firing pin 22 from the aperture 25 of the recoil plate. Withdrawal ntoventent is continued until the cocked position of tite firing pin carrier 2d is attained, as illustrated in FIGURE l.

To retain the carrier 24, and with it the firing pin 22. in cocked position, a spring biased pawl 33 is provided for engagement in n notch 34 located near the front end of the carrier 24. The cocltlng pin 29 is equipped with a light return spring 35 which, tts shown, is disposed concentrically within the mninspring 28 and about the cocking pin 29. The return spring 35 is also compressed as an incident to withdrawal movement of the cooking pin. When the cocked position ofthe carrier 24 is attained and the cocking pin 29 is released, the return spring 35, which at its forward end engages the erosshead 30. serves lo retract the cocking pin 29 back into the bore 26.

To release the firing pin carrier to the action of the mainspring, the frame is equipped with a trigger mechanism. This mechanism includes a trigger 36 which is mounted at the forward end of a slide 38, the latter being biased toward normal forwardly extended position by means of an internal expansion type spring. A suitable cam member is provided on the top of the internal portion of the trigger slide 38 so as to engage n push rod 4l interposed between the cam member and the pawl 33, the lower end of the push rod being complcmentally inclined with the cam member. Consequently. when the trigger J6 is moved rearwardly upon being squeezed by an operator using the illustrative firearm, the cam member is effective lo urge the push rod 4l upwardly to the end that the pawl 3J is rotated against the action of its biasing spring to release the firing pin carrier 24 to the action of the mainspring 28, whereupon the carrier 24 is driven forwardly and the firing pin 22 is projected through the aperture 25 in the recoil plate 20 and into position for engagement with the primer of a safety cartridge received in the firing chamber 18 ao as to detonate the same.

in order to gain access to the firing chamber t6 to permit loading and unloading of the illustrative firearm. the barrel assembly 14 is broken with respect tn the frame l2 ao as to pivot the barrel assembly downwardly around the pivot point IJ. To hold the barrel assembly in normal or closed position. a spring biased detent 4J is provided in the frame l2 to engage a complementally formed and juxtaposed recess 44 formed ln the lower portion of the barrel assembly I4.

ln the particular embodiment illustrated, the barrel assembly 14 includes an elector 45 which is disposed at the rear end of the barrel assembly so that it engages the front surface of the rim of a cartridge received within the firing chamber. The ejector 45 is mounted for limited longitudinal movement upon an extractor rod 46 which, in turn, is spring biased so as to normally retain the ejector in forward position. The ejector 45 ia operable to engage and urge the cartridge rearwardly, when the barrel assembly t4 is ln open position with respect to the frame l2. a sufficient distance to permit the car tridge head lo be grasped by an operator's lingers and removed from the llrlng chamber.

To determine the seated or firing position of a round of ammunition, the firing chamber ll is formed with s transaxial surface for abutment by the rim of the cartridge of a round of ammunition inserted therein. ln the par ticular firearm illustrated, the transaxlal surface, indicated at 52, la defined by the rear end of the liner 16 and the bordering material of the barrel 14 and the ejector 45. The rear portion of the firing chamber ls defined by the front surface of the recoil plate 20. which is spaced a predetermined distan away from the end of the metal liner 16 to insure abutment of the cartridge rim with the rearward facing transaxial surface 52 when the firing chamber la closed.

The safety weapon of FIGURES l and 2 is intended for use with safety ammunition of the type utilizing the explosive force only of a primer to propel its lightweight projectile and wherein the construction is such that its primer is disposed for engagement and detonation by the firing pin 22. One example of auch ammunition lathe safety cartridge I9 shown in FIGURE 3. which is ofthe general type disclosed and claimed in my copending application Serial No. 359.647. filed April i4, i964. It includes n cartridge easing 56 formed of plastic or other lightweight material having a bore l extending therethrough. The forward portion 58a of the bore ls enlarged lill Dil

lll)

for the reception therein of a projectile 60. At its rear end, thc cartridge casing 56 is formed with a head 62 having a rim 63 for engagement with the transaxial surface 52 of the firing chamber lll which determines the scaled or firing position of the cartridge within the tiring chamber. In the rear end of the head 62 the cartridge casing bore terminates in a recess 58h for receiving a primer 64. The recess 58h and the enlarged forward portion 58a of the cartridge bore 58 are interconnected by a bore portion 58e of reduced diameter for effecting venturi action upon the esplosive force produced by detonation of the primer 64 for expelling the projectile 60 from the casing 56. ln addition to utilizing only that force produced by the primer, the penetrative properties of the projectile are desirably further reduced by fashioning it of lightweight resilient material such, for example, as rubber or relatively soft plastic. ln order to stabilize the flight of the projectile 60. traveling at low velocityl it is preferably formed with a plurality of symmetrically spaced radial flns 65 that extend rearwardly from its body 66. This projectile construction has been found to effect a substantially at trajectory for a range on the order of 25 feet to 30 feet when propelled by the explosive force resulting from detonation of a small primer.

ln accordance with the present invention, the firearm is provided with safety means for preventing the firing of conventional cartridges in the firing chamber of the firearm, while permitting the firing of a safety cartridge having a casing complementally formed for cooperation with the safely means. Thus. in the firearm of FIGURES l and 2. three small axial projections or lugs 68 are provided on the rear end of the metal liner 16 so as to provide n plurality of keying means associated with the forward portion of the firing chamber and circumferentially spaced around the transaxlnl surface 52. These keying means 6l arc adapted lo mate with corresponding keyway means in the form of small grooves or notches 6l which are complcmcntally formed and located in the rim of the safety cartridge t9. When the firing chamber is open, the safety cartridge 19 is simply inserted into the forward portion of the firing chamber t8 and rotated until the kcyways 6l mate with the keys 68 so that the cartridge can slide forwardly until its rim abats the transaxial surface 52. The firing chamber is then closed. and the weapon is ready for firing.

lt will be appreciated that if an attempt is made to insert a standard or conventional cartridge into the open tiring chamber, the rim of the cartridge will abut the keys 68 so that it will be impossible for the operator to close tho firing chamber. Thus, the projecting keys 68 provide a simple and foolproof safety means which effec tively preclude the tiring of conventional cartridges. On the other hand. the keyways 6l which enable the safety cartridge t9 to be selectively received into the firing chamber of the weapon, do not prevent this same cartridge from being used in a standard weapon. ln other words. the weapon will accept only safety ammunition, and yet the ammunition can be used interchangeably in either safety weapons or standard weapons.

Although the embodiment of FIGURES l through 4 has been described with particular reference to the use of three equally spaced keys and keyways, a number of different modifications of this arrangement will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, any number of cooperating keys and lteyways could be employed and, indeed. even n single key and kcyway would provided adequate protection. Similarly, the shape and location of the complementaily formed elements may vary widely. Thus, the projecting ltey means could be tapered to assist in seating the cartridge within the firing chamber. Moreover, it is possible to provide the protruding keys along the inner surface of the metal liner 16 so as to interflt eomplementally formed grooves in the surface of the cartridge casing 56. rather than the cartridge rim.

One modified ferm of the Invention is illustrated in FIGURES 7 and 8. ln this embodiment. the safety cartridge 90 is provided with a rim which projects only from opposite sides of the cartridge casing in the form of arcuate rim portions 9i. To receive this form of cartridge. the rear end of the tubular metal liner 16 is provided with a pair of diamctrically opposed notches which define a pair of rearwardly extending projections 92 compiementaily formed and located with respect to the rim portion of the cartridge casing. Thus, the projections act as a pair of keys which cooperate with the ltcyways formed by the missing portions of the cartridge rim. lit will be recognized that since the maximum rim diameter of the safety cartridge 90 is the same as the rim diameter of a conventional cartridge, the safety cartridge 90 can be used in standard firearms as well as the illustrative safety rcttrm.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the safety means can be associated with the tiring mechanism rather than the tiring chamber. Thus. a stop means is provided which is movable with the firing pin of the weapon and which projects forwardly beyond the leading end of the rlng pin so as to abut the rearward end of a conventional cartridge, outwardly of the primer. and stop the firing pin a predetermined distance away from the cartridge primer, thereby preventing the tiring of conventional cartridges. The safety cartridge for this embodiment is provided with a complementaliy formed and located recess adapted to receive the projecting stop means so that the firing pin is free to advance into engagement with its primer to dctonate the safety cartridge. Accordingly. ln the illustrative firearm of FIGURES 5 and 6. an arcuate pin stop 70 is provided on the leading end of the firing pin carrier 24 so as to project forwardly beyond the end of the firing pin 22 in generally parallel relationship therewith. Since both the firing pin 22 and the stop 70 are attached to the carrier 24. the firing pin and the stop always move together so that the stop continuously projects out ahead of the firing pin. ln order to permit the stop 70 lo pass through the recoil plate 20 along with the tiring pin. the recoil plate is provided with an enlarged aperture 7l adapted to pass both the tiring pin and the stop into the tiring chamber.

lt can be seen that if a conventional cartridge is placed in the tiring chamber, auch as the cartridge 71a in FIG. 5. the atop rod 70 will abut the solid rear end wall of the cartridge and prevent the tiring pin n from engaging the cartridge primer so that the conventional cartridge cannot be detonated. However, when the safety cartridge 72 of FIGURE 6a is placed in the firing chamber, the arcuate pin stop 70 ls received within sn annular recess 7J which is complementaily formed and located with respect to the arcuate atop ln the rear end of the cartridge casing. Consequently. as long ss the safety cartridge 72 ls properly seated within the firing chamber` the tiring pin 23 is permitted to advance all the way to its firing position where it engagea the primer 74 of the safety cartridge and detonates the same. lt will be appreciated that if the firing chamber ls not fully closed, the arcuate stop 70 cannot enter the misalined recess 73. and detonation will be prevented until the tiring chamber is properly closed. lt will be appreciated that the particular stop 70 and eomplementai passageway 7l and recess 7J represent only one example of this aspect of the invention, and that any number of operable constructions can be used. For example. the stopping means could be in the form of a completa annulus extending all the way around the firing pin rather than lust an arcuate segment. Similarlyl the stopping means could be in theform of one or more small pins similar to the firing pla itself. but having s greater longitudinal dlmenslon. If desired, the stopping means and its compiemental recess may be tapered to facilitata the entri of the stop into the cartridge casing. With any of t ese constructions, the safety cartridge need only be provided fiii with a suitable recess in the rear portion of its casing and, therefore, the safety cartridge is stili capable of use in a standard weapon as well as the instant safety weapon.

ln accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the safety means is associated with the stationary recoil plate 20 which defines the rearward limits of the firing chamber. Thus. in the safety firearm illustrated in FIG- URES 9 through ll. a small longitudinally projecting key means in the form of a lug is provided at the top of the front face of the recoil plate 20, with a compiemcntal keyway means in the form of a vertical groove 80a being formed in the opposed portion of the barrel assembly 14 to permit the barrel assembly to pass the lug 80 during opening and closing of the firing chamber. lf a conventional cartridge is placed into the firing chamber while in its open position, the projecting lug 80 will abut the rear rim portion of the cartridge when the operator attempts to close the firing chamber, thereby effectively prccluding the firing of conventional cartridges in the illustrative weapon. ln the case of the safety cartridge $1 shown in FIGURE t2. the complementally formed and located groove lil is provided in the rear end wall of the cartridge casing so that this cartridge will clear the projecting lug 80 to permit the firing chamber to be closed. To facilitate the opening and closing of the firing chamber when it contains the safety cartridge. the forward surface of the lug B0 is rounded to prevent catching on the banal assembly. Although only one groove Bl is shown in the cartridge in the drawing for purposes of illustration. it would be possible to provide a pair of such grooves diametrically opposed to each other. Similarly. the projecting lug 80 could he provided at the bottom of tite face of the recoil plate rather than the top` as long as it effectively prevents the closing of the firing chamber when it contains n convcn tional cartridge. lt is contemplated that other modifications and alternatives of this form of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Prom the foregoing detailed description, it is apparent that the present invention provides an improved safety nrearm and ammunition which are effective for training and practice purposes but which are selective in that the firing only of the safety ammunition is permitted. and the firing of standard or conventional ammunition in the safety firearm is precluded. Moreover, although the safety flrean'n can fire only the safety round of ammunition, the ammunition itself can be used interchangeably with both the selective safety firearm and standard firearms, and without the use of any special adapters or the like. Furthermore, the safety means provided by this invention does not require the manipulation of any movable elements, and is relatively simple and economical to manufacture.

what is claimed is:

l. in an improved firearm of the safety type. thc combination comprising a firing pin movable a predetermined distance between cocked and firing positions. means defining the forward portion of a firing chamber having a rearwardly facing transaxial surface for abutment by a cartridge rim to determine the seated position thereof. a recoil plate having s portion engageable with the cartridge to insure abutment of its rim with saint surface and defining the rearward limits of said chamber. stop means movable with said firing pin and projecting beyond the forward end of said firing pin for engaging the rearward end of s conventional cartridge and stopping said firing pin a predetermined distance away from the primer oi' said conventional cartridge so as to preclude ring of the same, said stop means being adapted to interiit a compiementally formed safety cartridge whereby said firing pin can be advanced into engagement with the primer of said safety cartridge to detonate the same, said recoil plate being adapted to pass said firing pin and said stop means therethrough into the firing chamber.

2. in an intproved firearm of the safety lyP. the combination comprising a firing pin movable a predetermined distance between cocked and firing positions, means defining the forward portion of a ring chamber having a rearwardly facing transasial surface for abutment by a cartridge rim to determine the seated position thereof, a recoil plate having a portion engageable with the cartridge lo insure abutment of its rim with said surface and defining the rearward limits of said chamber, stop means movable with said firing pin and projecting beyond the forward end of said firing pin for engaging the rearward end of a conventional cartridge so as to stop the firing pin with its forward end a predetermined distance rearwardly of said trnnsaxial surface which distance is substantially greater than the rim thickness of s conventional cartridge thereby locating the primer of s conventional cartridge in spaced relation to the firing pin so as to preclude firing of the same. said stop means being adapted to interiit a complementally formed safety cartridge whereby said firing pin can be advanced into engagement with the primer of said safety cartridge to detonate the same, said recoil plate having apertures therein through which said firing pin and said stop means are projecting into said firing chamber.

3. in sn improved rearm of the safety type, the combination comprising means defining the forward portion of a firing chamber hsving a rearwardly facing transasial surface for abutment by s cartridge rim to determine the seated position thereof, s recoil plate having a portion engageable with the cartridge lo insure abutment of its rim with said surface and defining the rearward limits of said chamber, a longitudinally movable carrier for advancing and retracting a firing pin with respect to said firing chamber. a ring pin connected to said carrier so as to he movable n predetermined distance between cocked and firing positions. s pin stop connected to said carrier so as to be movable with said firing pin, said pin stop projecting beyond the forward end of said firing pin for engaging the rearward end of a conventional cartridge and stopping said firing pin a predetermined distance sway from the primer of said conventional cartridge so ss to preclude rlng of the same, said pin stop being adapted to interht s eompicmentally formed safety cartridge whereby said tiring pin can be advanced into engagement with the primer of said safety cartridge to detonate the same. said recoil piste being adapted to pass said firing pin and ssld stop therethrough into said firing chamber.

4. ln an improved firearm of the safety type, the combination comprising a firing pin movable a predetermined distance between cocked and firing positions, means defining the forward portion of a firing chamber having a rearwardly facing trsnsaxisl surface for abutment by s cartridge rim to determine the seated position thereof, said forward portion of the firing chamber being pivotslly mounted for opening and closing said tiring chamber. s recoil plate having s portion engsgesble with the csr fridge to insure abutment of its rim with said trsnssslsl surface, and defining the rearward limits of ssld firing chamber, said recoil plate having an aperture therein through which the ring pin ls projected into its firing position. and key means associated with the forward face of said recoil piste for directly blocking the closing of ssid firing chamber when s conventional cartridge is seated therein, while permitting the closing of said firing chamber when s safety cartridge Is seated therein, said safety cartridge hsvlng keywny means complementally formed snd located for cooperation with said key means and s rim for seating engagement with said trsnssxisl surface.

5. In sn Improved firearm of the safety type, the comblnstlon comprising s firing pin movable s predetermined dlstsnee between cocked and firing positions, means defining the forwsrd portion of s firing chamber having a rearwardly facing transasial surface for abutment by s cartridge rim to determine the seated position thereof.

fifi

said forward portion of the firing chamber being pivotally mounted for opening and closing said firing chamber, a recoil plate having a portion engageable with the cartridge lo insure abutment of its rim with said transaxinl surface and defining the rearward limits of said firing chamber, said reanward portion of the firing chantbcr including means for directly blocking the closing of said ring chamber when a conventional cartridge is seated therein, while permitting the closing of said firing chamber when a complemcntally formed safety cartridge is seated therein, said recoil plate being adapted to pass said firing pin therethrough into said firing chamber for dctonating the safety cartridge.

6. ln an improved firearm of the safety type, a firing pin movable a predetermined distance between cocked and firing positions, means defining the forward portion of a firing chamber having a rearwardly facing transaxial surface for abutment by a cartridge rim to determine the seated position thereof, said forward portion of the tiring chamber being pivotally mounted on said firearm for opening and closing said firing chamber, a recoil plate having a forward face engageable with the cartridge to insure abutment of its rim with said transaxial surface and defining the rearward limits of said firing chamber, a recoil plate having a forward face engageable with the cartridge to insure abutment of its rim with said transaxlal surface and dening the rearward limits of said firing chamber. said recoil plate having an aperture therein through which the firing pin is projected into its firing position. and at least one key means projecting forwardly from the forward face of said recoil plate for directly blocking the closing of said firing chamber when a conventional cartridge is seated therein while permitting the closing of the firing chamber when a safety cartridge having a casing defining a compicmentaiiy formed kcywny for cooperation with said key means is seated therein. said cartridge having a rim for seating engagement with said transaxial surface.

7. A round of safety ammunition for use in a firearm having a firing pin movable a predetermined distance bctween cocked and Bring positions, means defining the forward portion of s firing chamber having a rearwardly facing trnnsaxlai surface for abutment by a cartridge rim to determine the seated position thereof, a recoil plate having a portion engageable with the cartridge to insure abutment of its rim with said surface and defining the rearward limits of the firing chamber, nnd stop means movable with said firing pin and projecting beyond the forward end of said firing pin for engaging the rearward end of conventional ammunition and stopping said firing pin s predetermined distance away from the primer of said conventional ammunition so as to preclude firing of the same, said recoil plate being adapted to pass said tiring pin and said stop means therethrough into the firing chantber, said safety round comprising a cartridge casing terminating st its rear end in a rim for engagement with the trsnssxlal surface of the tiring chamber and having n recess ln the rear end wall thereof for receiving and holding a primer ln position for engagement by the firing pin when projected through the recoil plate to detonate the same. the rear end wall of said cartridge casing having another recess which is contplementally formed and located to receive said stop means whereby said firing pin can be advanced into engagement with the printer of said safety cartridge to detonate the same, and a projectile received in the forward end of said casing and adapted to be expelled from said casing upon detonation of the primer.

l. A round of safety ammunition for use in a firearm having a firing pin movable a predetermined distance bctween cocked and ring positions, means defining the forward portion of a firing chamber having a rearwardly facing transaxial surface for abutment by a cartridge rim to determine the sented position thereof, a recoil plate having a portion engageable with the cartridge to insure 9 abutment oi its rim with said surface and defining the rearward limits of the tiring chamber, and stop means movable with said firing pin and projecting beyond the forward end of said tiring pin for engaging the rearward end of conventional ammunition and stopping said tiring pin a predetermined distance away from the primet of snldconventional ammunition so as to preclude tiring of the same, said recoil plate being adapted to pasa said ring pin and said stop means therethrough into the firing chamber, said lal'ety round comprising a cartridge casing terminating at its rear end in a head having a rim for engagement with the transaxial surface ofthe firing cham ber and having a recess in the rear end wall thereof for receiving and holding n primer in position for engagement by the tiring pin when projected through the recoil plate to detonate the same, and the rear end wall of said cartridge casing having another recess which is complet 10 mentally formed and located to receive said stop means whereby said firing pin can be advanced into engagement with the primer o( said safety cartridge to detonate the same.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 493,382 3/1893 Hildcr lOl-3B X 683,384 9/l90l Cole 102-38 3,l20,l86 2/1964 Harvey IDI-38 OTHER REFERENCES Bcrckhollz, German app. No. I.l0l.222, published March 2, |961.

BENJAMIN A. BORCHELT, Primary Examiner.

FRED C. MATTERN. In.. Examinar. 

1. IN AN IMPROVED FIREARM OF THE SAFETY TYPE, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING A FIRING PIN MOVABLE A PREDETERMINED DISTANCE BETWEEN COCKED AND FIRING POSITIONS, MEANS DEFINING THE FORWARD PORTION OF A FIRING CHAMBER HAVING A REARWARDLY FACING TRANSAXIAL SURFACE FOR ABUTMENT BY A CARTRIDGE RIM TO DETERMINE THE SEATED POSITION THEREOF, A RECOIL PLATE HAVING A PORTION ENGAGEABLE WITH THE CARTRIDGE TO INSURE ABUTMENT OF ITS RIM WITH SAID SURFACE AND DEFINING THE REARWARD LIMITS OF SAID CHAMBER, STOP MEANS MOVABLE WITH SAID FIRING PIN AND PROJECTING BEYOND THE FORWARD END OF SAID FIRING PIN FOR ENGAGING THE REARWARD END OF A CONVENTIONAL CARTRIDGE AND STOPPING SAID FIRING PIN A PREDETERMINED DISTANCE AWAY FROM THE PRIMER OF SAID CONVENTIONAL CARTRIDGE SO AS TO PRECLUDE FIRING OF THE SAME, SAID STOP MEANS BEING ADAPTED TO INTERFIT A COMPLEMENTALLY FORMED SAFETY CARTRIDGE WHEREBY SAID FIRING PIN CAN BE ADVANCED INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH THE PRIMER OF SAID SAFETY CARTRIDGE TO DETONATE THE SAME, SAID RECOIL PLATE BEING ADAPTED TO PASS SAID FIRING PIN AND SAID STOP MEANS THERETHROUGH INTO THE FIRING CHAMBER. 